Frauenfeld Makes Its Mark

It didn’t hit the record highs of 2009 when there was a daily crowd of 50,000, but Frauenfeld’s 44,000-per day crowd is unlikely to be matched by any other Swiss festival.

In fact, the event staged on an old horse-racing track and army training ground about 20 minutes out of Zurich would unquestionably be the country’s biggest fest if it weren’t for Paelo-Nyon.

It certainly has claims to being Europe’s biggest dance music festival. Paleo, which is in the French-speaking part of the country, has a 35,000 capacity but it lasts a week and can therefore claim an overall crowd of close to a quarter of a million.

“Extremely hot, great shows, no problems or accidents – all perfect,” was Frauenfeld chief Andy Locher’s take on this year’s bash.

The Swiss festival market, which was once so crowded that several major events were vulnerable, has recently become one of the steadiest in mainland Europe.

This year’s Open Air St. Gallen sold out its 30,000 capacity months in advance and Greenfield Festival, run by German promoter FKP Scorpio and Swiss promoter Thomas Durr, did more than 27,000 per day. The at Fauenfeld July 12-14 included Snoop Lion, Seeed, Wu-Tang Clan, Dizzee Rascal, A Tribe Called Quest, Trey Songz, and Azealia Banks.